c4countdown

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Wed Aug 03, 2022 6:20 am

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 7:34 pm Although on some less optimistic notes:

2) while media coverage, etc, play a big role in perception, the women's game will struggle to ever be as big as the men's game for as long as the standard is substantially lower. And, unfortunately, I can't see that changing any time soon, if ever.

It is changing. Go and watch the semi finals of the women's world cup from a decade ago and compare the quality to this tournament. It's night and day.

However the standard will never be the same. I read that strength for strength, women's football is the equivalent of men's football being played with a basketball. So, it will never be directly comparable, in the same way that women's tennis players don't move as fast as the men. But it's (arguably) an equal spectacle.

Sorry, bit shit choice of words by me. By "that changing" I meant the fact that elite women's football is played at a substantially lower quality than elite men's football (as a binary yes/no level - is it substantially lower or not?). I didn't mean to imply that the standard of women's football isn't changing/improving over time; it is, as you have pointed out. I just think the quality of elite women's football probably has a ceiling of how high it can get and that falls significantly short of how high the quality of men's elite football is/could/will be.

Women's football transfer record likely to be broken soon.

Barcelona reportedly ready to spend over £300k on a Manchester City player. I was shocked that the record is so low. And yes I am aware of how silly it is to think of such a sum of money as 'low' but when we've just come out of a men's transfer window in which Premier League clubs have spent a combined £1.9 BILLION, that's low for a.

To put it in perspective, Barcelona's men's team (who are supposedly in the midst of a financial crisis) this summer spent around £42 million on a 34-year-old player (Robert Lewandowski) who would have been available for free in a year's time, and a similar amount on a player (Jules Koundé) they couldn't event register for the first few weeks of the season due to their financial situation. A few years ago they spent around £140 million on a player (Phillipe Coutinho) who they shortly ostracised from the first team before eventually selling to Aston Villa for about 12% of what they paid for him originally.

Madness.

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Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Sat Sep 11, 2021 10:02 pm

Noel Mc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 11, 2021 8:00 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:03 pm I'm sure the British press will be all over this, particularly if the Mendy case goes to trial and he is convicted

They are decidedly not all over this. The coverage of Ronaldo's return and re-debut today has been nauseating. There is still an open civil case in the US, I wonder if Man United will go on a pre season tour there next summer?

Well, this happened.

Dani Alves has been convicted of rape and will serve a 4.5 year prison sentence. First time I can recall a conviction of a high-profile footballer. Glad that they don't always get away with it.

Adam Gillard wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:27 pm Dani Alves has been convicted of rape and will serve a 4.5 year prison sentence.

The second part of your sentence will, very sadly, not turn out to be true.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/68eKjE4CkrCiHGJY/

This is unbelievable how women's football was treated just over 50 years ago

Are we watching the Mens Euros ?
I think with the General Election and The Olympics its a little overshadowed.
That said I think England will win , we made the final 3 years ago and we are a better team than that

Will be, but not supporting England-our fans were insufferable to the extent that when Italy won, I was overjoyed. Felt like the just thing had happened. Will be backing two sides

-Whoever England are playing
-Whoever I get in the office sweepstake (if I get England, you'll hear the screaming)

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2024 5:05 pm Are we watching the Mens Euros ?
I think with the General Election and The Olympics its a little overshadowed.
That said I think England will win , we made the final 3 years ago and we are a better team than that

I think England have a good chance to win. The midfield and attack are top tier. The defence and manager are a bit suspect.
I've had a tenner on Portugal as a dark horse.

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2024 5:05 pm Are we watching the Mens Euros ?
I think with the General Election and The Olympics its a little overshadowed.
That said I think England will win , we made the final 3 years ago and we are a better team than that

Absolutely; could be the last proper international tournament for a while and should be an excellent one. England have a fantastic squad, no doubt, but I still can't see past France as the favourites.

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2024 7:41 pm I think England have a good chance to win. The midfield and attack are top tier. The defence and manager are a bit suspect.
I've had a tenner on Portugal as a dark horse.

Can I ask what you find suspect about Southgate, please? I'm a fan. Portugal is a good shout.

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:57 am

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2024 5:05 pm Are we watching the Mens Euros ?
I think with the General Election and The Olympics its a little overshadowed.
That said I think England will win , we made the final 3 years ago and we are a better team than that

Absolutely; could be the last proper international tournament for a while and should be an excellent one. England have a fantastic squad, no doubt, but I still can't see past France as the favourites.

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Thu Jun 06, 2024 7:41 pm I think England have a good chance to win. The midfield and attack are top tier. The defence and manager are a bit suspect.
I've had a tenner on Portugal as a dark horse.

Can I ask what you find suspect about Southgate, please? I'm a fan. Portugal is a good shout.

Primarily my suspicion is based on my view that he's never evidenced any actual aptitude for the role. In 8 years I think there's been one game where he showed some great management (2-0 against Germany). Not that you get the opportunity to show great management every game - but still, he's had a lot of chances.

He has been blessed with good squads but rather like Sven , the last manager of a good England squad he is a bit safety first.
Imagine a( 98)Hoddle or(96) Venables with this squad

Deja vu time.
The finalgroup standings in Italia 90 and Euro 2024 are exactly the same (if you ignore 2 points for a win back then )
We was equally lucky in our side of the draw , we are probably better placed now in that regard.
Who will be England's David Platt in the round of 16.

Other comparisons is that we were crap then as now in the group stage and struggled to beat inferior teams.
Only difference is our toughest game is likely to be against The Netherlands , though our record against Italy our likely quarter finalists (should we get there ) isn't great though we have better penalty takers now.

Other observations is that having 16 go through from 24 throws up scenarios like Slovakia and Romania potentially playing a stale draw in order for both teams to get through.

Also can someone clever on here come up with what scenario needs to happen for England to NOT play the Netherlans in the round of 16

Spain and Austria should be the final based on performance so far

But I have an Inkling it will be Portugal v England

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:57 amI'm a fan.

Still?

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 10:09 pm

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:57 amI'm a fan.

Still?

I can't defend whatever is going on at this tournament because I still don't understand what's gone wrong. Still a lot of good will in the bank for past achievements though.

I concede that your pre-tournament suspicions have been vindicated

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Tue Jul 02, 2024 10:09 pm

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Fri Jun 07, 2024 4:57 amI'm a fan.

Still?

Interesting stat is that Southgate has won more tournament knock out games as England manager than every other England manager COMBINED.
Yet he is a still a disappointment.

Maybe on Saturday he will finally go for it

Well if it wasn't a resurgent Spain awaiting England in the final I would say England's name on the cup.
They have played this tournament like Italy in the days they were good (well technically that was 3 years ago ) in the 80s
The Overhead kick from Bellingham against Slovakia , the penalty shoot out the worst refereeing decision for the pen since England got that 3rd goal in 1966 .
The last minute winner last night.
Why is the final so late on Sunday?
Serendipity, that I have Monday off as a rest day.
Should be a Bank Holiday if England win though

It's 8:00 isn't it? Hardly that late.

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 9:59 am It's 8:00 isn't it? Hardly that late.

It could be nearly 11 pm by the time it finishes.
Old people and school children need to go to bed at a reasonable time.
It's not like it's in a different time zone

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 10:23 am

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 9:59 am It's 8:00 isn't it? Hardly that late.

It could be nearly 11 pm by the time it finishes.
Old people and school children need to go to bed at a reasonable time.
It's not like it's in a different time zone

Germany is definitely in a different time zone.

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 12:00 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 10:23 am

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 9:59 am It's 8:00 isn't it? Hardly that late.

It could be nearly 11 pm by the time it finishes.
Old people and school children need to go to bed at a reasonable time.
It's not like it's in a different time zone

Germany is definitely in a different time zone.

I was waiting for you to post that.
Are you masquerading as my very own Microsoft paper clip .

I should have said continent rather than time zone.

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2024 9:00 pm

Shouldn't this be on the tennis thread

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 12:00 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 10:23 am

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 9:59 am It's 8:00 isn't it? Hardly that late.

It could be nearly 11 pm by the time it finishes.
Old people and school children need to go to bed at a reasonable time.
It's not like it's in a different time zone

Germany is definitely in a different time zone.

And the kick-off is even later virtually everywhere else in Europe. Old people go to bed whenever they please, thank you very much. They'll have had a bit of a nap during the tennis anyway.

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2024 10:15 pm Shouldn't this be on the tennis thread

There's a tennis thread?
Could you post a Serbian flag on that for me please!
[Edited to include:- and an Italian flag for the ladies!]

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2024 11:25 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2024 10:15 pm Shouldn't this be on the tennis thread

There's a tennis thread?
Could you post a Serbian flag on that for me please!
[Edited to include:- and an Italian flag for the ladies!]

Let's hope your predictions/wishes continue in the same vein tonight

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Sun Jul 14, 2024 3:39 pm Let's hope your predictions/wishes continue in the same vein tonight

I was getting worried, but the final and most important result went my way!

"They're going home, they're going home, with nothing, England's going home..."

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 2:08 am

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Sun Jul 14, 2024 3:39 pm Let's hope your predictions/wishes continue in the same vein tonight

I was getting worried, but the final and most important result went my way!

"They're going home, they're going home, with nothing, England's going home..."

There is a word for someone who takes pleasure in other people's misery.
BTW it's not Schadenfreude

I'm not a massive football guy as some of you will have noticed, but having watched the Euros final on the BBC last night, I was left thinking - do they not have a star lead commentator to come out for the big occasions these days? That was some pretty ropey stuff.

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 9:14 am There is a word for someone who takes pleasure in other people's misery.
BTW it's not Schadenfreude

Misery?
Ye should be overjoyed that such a shite team made it past Slovakia somehow!

As for me, I was glad to see the best, most entertaining team win.

L'oisleatch McGraw wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 1:07 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 9:14 am There is a word for someone who takes pleasure in other people's misery.
BTW it's not Schadenfreude

Misery?
Ye should be overjoyed that such a shite team made it past Slovakia somehow!

As for me, I was glad to see the best, most entertaining team win.

Only The 3 professional fouls I'm the final so the Spanish were improving on the dark arts front.

I should have realised the gods were against us as the last 3 Spanish Wimbledon Wins have lead to a football win in the same period (if you count The Nations Cup last year )

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 5:19 pm I should have realised the gods were against us as the last 3 Spanish Wimbledon Wins have lead to a football win in the same period (if you count The Nations Cup last year )

This sort of statistical paradoelia gets a lot more discussion than it really deserves.

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2024 12:36 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 5:19 pm I should have realised the gods were against us as the last 3 Spanish Wimbledon Wins have lead to a football win in the same period (if you count The Nations Cup last year )

This sort of statistical paradoelia gets a lot more discussion than it really deserves.

I always associated that word with visual things like seeing Jesus's in a piece of toast etc.

But yes stoopid statistics.
If England have won I would have said England have never lost in Berlin or England emulated Porugal in the knock out phase when they won the Euros.

Still 60 years of hurt scans better for that godawful song

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2024 12:36 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 5:19 pm I should have realised the gods were against us as the last 3 Spanish Wimbledon Wins have lead to a football win in the same period (if you count The Nations Cup last year )

This sort of statistical paradoelia gets a lot more discussion than it really deserves.

What do you make of this one? 27 finals in a row won by Spanish vs. non-Spanish opposition.

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2024 1:43 pm Still 60 years of hurt scans better for that godawful song

Incorrect.
The song is the best thing about English football.

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2024 9:31 pm

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2024 12:36 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 5:19 pm I should have realised the gods were against us as the last 3 Spanish Wimbledon Wins have lead to a football win in the same period (if you count The Nations Cup last year )

This sort of statistical paradoelia gets a lot more discussion than it really deserves.

What do you make of this one? 27 finals in a row won by Spanish vs. non-Spanish opposition.

Since 2001 , I believe

Jon O'Neill wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2024 9:31 pm

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2024 12:36 pm

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Mon Jul 15, 2024 5:19 pm I should have realised the gods were against us as the last 3 Spanish Wimbledon Wins have lead to a football win in the same period (if you count The Nations Cup last year )

This sort of statistical paradoelia gets a lot more discussion than it really deserves.

What do you make of this one? 27 finals in a row won by Spanish vs. non-Spanish opposition.

It's 23 isn't it? Those 27 include 4 against Spanish opposition.

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Tuchel is England manager
Looking forward to the daily mail headlines tomorrow

Based on what I've seen with a string of 'granny rule' Scots, all will quickly be forgiven if he gets results (although I'm sure conspiracies will abound if England lose an important match to Germany.)

Phil H wrote: ↑Wed Oct 16, 2024 5:08 pm Based on what I've seen with a string of 'granny rule' Scots, all will quickly be forgiven if he gets results (although I'm sure conspiracies will abound if England lose an important match to Germany.)

Historically he has always won the second trophy he enters so if the remaining nations league games is the first one then 2026 World Cup here we come
England v USA final

I seldom stick up for Spurs but the time wasting tactics of Villa were appalling when they went in front so I'm glad they lost and Spusr 4 goal was in the time that villa wasted.
Not sure if the 90 minutes clock stopping idea I had in another thread would benefit time wasters or not ?

You know, I've come close a good few times to beating someone who, on any other day, would be well out of sight by the last numbers. Every time I get there, but ultimately lose, I can be happy that I gave my best, because they were probably always going to get the conundrum first. Losing a close game of Countdown is as fair and as dignified as losing at anything can get. The next time that happens, I will be glad that I never joined a youth football team, never went professional, never signed for Celtic, and never got picked to play in the Champions League tonight. For the rest of time, Bayern Munich will have at least one hater: my soul.

Anyway, I need to use the bog

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